A vehicle belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was set ablaze Friday evening as supporters of Hezbollah blocked the road to Beirut’s airport for a second consecutive day in protest against a decision to prevent two Iranian planes from landing in the country's airport. 

The charred remains of the UNIFIL vehicle, which bore the peacekeeping force’s logo, were seen abandoned by the roadside, with Lebanese troops deployed in response to the unrest. It remains unclear how the vehicle was torched, but the attack came amid heightened tensions over the flight restrictions imposed by Lebanese authorities.

The Israeli army alleged in a statement on Wednesday that Iran’s Quds Force has been using civilian flights to smuggle money to Hezbollah. Israel stated it has been providing intelligence to a U.S.-led committee overseeing the ceasefire to thwart such operations.

A Lebanese security source told Reuters that at least one UN peacekeeper was wounded in the attack near the airport road. The vehicle was part of a convoy of three, including one used by UNIFIL’s Deputy Head Aroldo Lázaro, reports indicated.

Protesters, chanting pro-Hezbollah slogans and waving the group’s flags, blocked the road with debris from damaged buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut. 

In response to the violence, the Lebanese Army Command issued a statement urging an immediate cessation of hostilities and warning that security forces would take firm action to prevent further disruptions.

“The Army Command warns citizens against continuing such actions, which risk fueling internal tensions at a critical time for the country. Security units remain committed to maintaining order and will act firmly to prevent any disturbance to civil peace and to arrest those responsible for these violations,” the statement read.

The UN has reportedly advised its personnel to avoid the airport road following the attack on its convoy. Meanwhile, a heavy deployment of Lebanese Army forces remains in place to restore calm in the area.

فيديو متداول من الاحتجاجات لمناصري #حزب_الله: شاحنةنفايات لقطع الطريق pic.twitter.com/lskQW4j7Zo

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) February 14, 2025

فيديو من طريق #مطار_بيروت تظهر اعمال الشغب pic.twitter.com/768PnZBcpE

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) February 14, 2025

فيديو متداول من طريق #مطار_بيروت يُظهر شبانًا من مناصري "#الحزب" يعتدون على سيارة لـ "#اليونيفيل" pic.twitter.com/RWziBbyCfv

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) February 14, 2025

#عاجل
إحراق جيب لليونيفيل على طريق مطار رفيق الحريري في محيط الكوكودي pic.twitter.com/u7qVAIWz38

— Annahar النهار (@Annahar) February 14, 2025